16 –CAPITALIZATION– 3. a. the book noted that Henry VIII reigned from 1509–1547 a.d. b. The book noted that Henry VIII reigned from 1509–1547 a.d. c. The book noted that Henry VIII reigned from 1509–1547 a.d. 4. a. After the game is over, I want to watch the interviews with the players. b. after the game is over, I want to watch the interviews with the players. c. After the game is over, i want to watch the interviews with the players. Proper Nouns and Proper Adjectives All proper nouns and proper adjectives—ones that name a specifi c person, place, or thing—must be capi- talized, but remembering which nouns and adjectives are proper can be diffi cult. The tables that follow lay out the most common categories of proper nouns and adjectives. Each section begins with a table that illus- trates fi ve to seven related rules, followed by several practice exercises. PROPER NOUNS, PART ONE CATEGORY OF PROPER NOUNS EXAMPLES days of the week Friday, Saturday months January, February holidays Christmas, Halloween historical events, periods, documents Civil War (historical event), Dark Ages (historical period), Declaration of Independence (document) special events, calendar events Pebble Beach Fall Classic, Renaissance Festival, Green River Days (special events); Labor Day, Father’s Day (calendar events) names of people and places John Doe, Lincoln Center, Sears Tower Practice Using these rules, choose the correctly capitalized ver- sion of each of the following pairs. 5. a. Chaucer was one of the foremost poets from the Middle ages. b. Chaucer was one of the foremost poets from the Middle Ages. 6. a. The Martins will begin their summer with a weeklong Memorial Day celebration at a beau- tiful lakeside hotel. b. The Martins will begin their summer with a weeklong Memorial day celebration at a beau- tiful Lakeside hotel. 7. a. The u.s. constitution contains the bill of rights. b. The U.S. Constitution contains the Bill of Rights. 8. a. Judy has two Uncles who fought in world war II. b. Judy has two uncles who fought in World War II. LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 16LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 16 3/11/09 10:12:39 AM3/11/09 10:12:39 AM 17 –CAPITALIZATION– PROPER NOUNS, PART TWO CATEGORY OF PROPER NOUNS EXAMPLES names of structures and buildings Washington Memorial, Empire State Building names of trains, ships, aircraft, and other Queen Elizabeth, Discovery, Sioux Lines, modes of transportation TransWorld Airlines names of products Corn King hams, Dodge Intrepid names of offi cials Mayor Daley, President Clinton works of art and literature Black Elk Speaks (book), “Mending Wall” (poem), Mona Lisa (painting) ethnic groups, races, languages, nationalities Asian American, Caucasian, French, Indian Practice Choose the correctly capitalized version of each of the following pairs. 9. a. Shakespeare’s comedy of errors is one of his easiest plays to read. b. Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors is one of his easiest plays to read. 10. a. We caught a Vanguard Airlines fl ight to Orlando. b. We caught a Vanguard airlines fl ight to Orlando. 11. a. The Talmud is a guide to the teachings of judaism. b. The Talmud is a guide to the teachings of Judaism. 12. a. Paul has an editing job with Meredith Publishing. b. Paul has an Editing job with Meredith Publishing. 13. a. The University of Michigan has an excellent business school. b. The university of Michigan has an excellent business school. 14. a. Dr. Gallagher researched her book at the Library of Congress. b. Dr. Gallagher researched her book at the Library of congress. LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 17LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 17 3/11/09 10:12:39 AM3/11/09 10:12:39 AM 18 –CAPITALIZATION– PROPER NOUNS, PART THREE CATEGORY OF PROPER NOUNS EXAMPLES cities, states, and governmental units Des Moines, Iowa; Barrow, Alaska; Republic of South Africa streets, highways, and roads Grand Avenue, Interstate 29, Deadwood Road landmarks and geographical locations Continental Divide, Grand Canyon public areas and bodies of water Superior Forest, Missouri River institutions, organizations, and businesses Dartmouth College, Lions Club, Dodge Trucks Practice Choose the correctly capitalized version of each of the following pairs. 15. a. New York City’s Sixth Avenue is also called the Avenue of the Americas. b. New York city’s sixth avenue is also called the Avenue of the Americas. 16. a. Near a body of water called fi rth and forth, you can see Edinburgh, Scotland. b. Near a body of water called Firth and Forth, you can see Edinburgh, Scotland. 17. a. There is an incredible view of the Pacifi c ocean from Big Sur, California. b. There is an incredible view of the Pacifi c Ocean from Big Sur, California. 18. a. Mount Everest, which is in the middle of the Himalayas, is the highest mountain in the world. b. Mount Everest, which is in the middle of the Himalayas, is the highest mountain in the World. 19. a. I have traveled on the Garden state Parkway, a main highway in New Jersey. b. I have traveled on the Garden State Parkway, a main highway in New Jersey. Proper Adjectives Proper adjectives are adjectives—that is, words that modify nouns—formed from a proper noun, often the name of a place. For instance, the proper noun Canada becomes the proper adjective Canadian when it mod- ifi es another noun, as in Canadian bacon. Note that the noun is not capitalized unless it is a proper noun in its own right. Examples: English muffi n, Polish sausage, Japanese y en Practice Choose the correctly capitalized version of each of the following pairs. 20. a. Some residents of ireland still speak the Gaelic Language. b. Some residents of Ireland still speak the Gaelic language. 21. a. Frida Kahlo, a Mexican artist, painted many self-portraits. b. Frida Kahlo, a mexican artist, painted many self-portraits. 22. a. My Irish ancestors immigrated to the United States in 1853. b. My irish ancestors immigrated to the United States in 1853. LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 18LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 18 3/11/09 10:12:39 AM3/11/09 10:12:39 AM 19 –CAPITALIZATION– 23. a. I will never attempt to swim the English channel. b. I will never attempt to swim the English Channel. 24. a. The new Ethiopian Restaurant was getting rave reviews. b. The new Ethiopian restaurant was getting rave reviews. When NOT to Capitalize Putting capital letters where they don’t belong is as bad as leaving them out where they do belong. Watch for these capitalization traps. ■ Avoid unnecessarily capitalizing compass direc- tions; however, direction words that refer to a spe- cifi c area of the country should be capitalized. Examples: We headed west after the Depression. The future of the country was cultivated in the West. ■ Avoid unnecessarily capitalizing the words refer- ring to family members. Capitalize them only when they are used as names. If a possessive adjec- tive (my, our, your, his, her, their) comes before the word referring to a family member, the family word is not capitalized. Examples: When Uncle Harry visited last winter, none of my other uncles came to see him. After my mother called me for lunch, Father served the entree. ■ Avoid unnecessarily capitalizing the seasons of the year or parts of the academic year. Example: If the university offers History of Education 405 in the spring semester, Horace can graduate in May. ■ Avoid unnecessarily capitalizing school subjects. They should be capitalized only if they are part of the name of a specifi c course. Examples: I try to avoid math courses because I’m not very good at them. Betsy is taking Algebra II and Trigonometry I next semester. ■ Avoid unnecessarily capitalizing words modifi ed by proper adjectives. Examples: Polish sausage, not Polish Sausage Mexican restaurant, not Mexican Restaurant Practice Choose the correctly capitalized version of each of the following pairs. 25. a. Digging the Canal through Panama took many years. b. Digging the canal through Panama took many years. 26. a. The Smoky Mountains are in the Southeastern part of the country. b. The Smoky Mountains are in the southeastern part of the country. 27. a. Nicholi Milani does more business in the East than in the West. b. Nicholi Milani does more business in the east than in the west. 28. a. My least favorite subject in school is history, although I have to admit I enjoyed taking European History I last semester. b. My least favorite subject in school is History, although I have to admit I enjoyed taking European History I last semester. 29. a. Marianne had never been as far East as Columbus, Ohio. b. Marianne had never been as far east as Columbus, Ohio. LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 19LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 19 3/11/09 10:12:40 AM3/11/09 10:12:40 AM 20 Answers 1. c. 2. b. 3. c. 4. a. 5. b. 6. a. 7. b. 8. b. 9. b. 10. a. 11. b. 12. a. 13. a. 14. a. 15. a. 16. b. 17. b. 18. a. 19. b. 20. b. 21. a. 22. a. 23. b. 24. b. 25. b. 26. b. 27. a. 28. a. 29. b. Find the obituaries in your local newspaper. Examine the capitalization used in the writing. How many of the rules you learned today can you fi nd represented in a single obituary notice? TIP –CAPITALIZATION– LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 20LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 20 3/11/09 10:12:40 AM3/11/09 10:12:40 AM LESSON 21 2 PERIODS, QUESTION MARKS, AND EXCLAMATION POINTS No iron can pierce the heart with such force as a period put just at the right place. —Isaac Babel, Russian journalist (1894–1940) LESSON SUMMARY End punctuation is as essential to writing as road signs are to drivers. This chapter shows which end marks to use and where. T he exercise that follows reviews Lesson 1, Capitalization, and gives you an opportunity to see what you already know about periods and end marks. Correct the capitalization in the Problem column on the next page, adding periods, question marks, and exclamation points where you think they should go. Check your answers with the Solution column as you go. LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 21LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 21 3/11/09 10:12:40 AM3/11/09 10:12:40 AM 22 –PERIODS, QUESTION MARKS, AND EXCLAMATION POINTS– Problem Solution William Reese had not been inside Oak Hill high school for fi ve years when he graduated, William left harrisburg, Pennsylvania to attend the university of Wisconsin He was looking forward to seeing his old Teachers, and he was sure they would be surprised about how successful he had become william was not a model high school student In fact, he was awful his guidance counselor, Ms Lewis, always told him that she couldn’t understand how someone as bright as he was could get such poor grades William came very close to failing at least three of his subjects every marking period he espe- cially disliked math and science After school on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and fridays, William would get into his old Honda civic and drive to Cedar street, where he worked the afternoon shift at Milton’s bookstore This was his favorite place to be he loved being surrounded by books, and when he wasn’t helping customers, he would sit behind the counter and read as much as he could During these afternoon shifts, William read some books that changed his life one of his favorites was on the Road by Jack Kerouac his reading inspired him to keep a Journal, which he wrote in every day When it was time to consider college william spent many hours with Ms Lewis thinking about his future After reading his journals, Ms Lewis suggested that perhaps William would be happiest at a College where he could study creative writing The rest is history William was one of the Top Students in the cre- ative writing Program at the University of Wisconsin during his Junior Year, one of his essays was accepted for publication in a National magazine, and soon after that, William received a call from an editor at Bound brook publishing who wanted to publish a collection of William’s short stories as soon as the book was published William sent a copy to Ms Lewis thanking her for her support and advice Now he was on his way back to visit Ms Lewis and his other teachers, who were probably all asking the same question Can this be the same William Reese William Reese had not been inside Oak Hill High School for fi ve years. When he graduated, William left Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to attend the University of Wisconsin. He was looking forward to seeing his old teachers, and he was sure they would be surprised about how successful he had become. William was not a model high school student. In fact, he was awful! His guidance counselor, Ms. Lewis, always told him that she couldn’t understand how someone as bright as he was could get such poor grades. William came very close to failing at least three of his subjects every marking period. He espe- cially disliked math and science. After school on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, William would get into his old Honda Civic and drive to Cedar Street, where he worked the after- noon shift at Milton’s Bookstore. This was his favorite place to be. He loved being surrounded by books, and when he wasn’t helping customers, he would sit behind the counter and read as much as he could. During these afternoon shifts, William read some books that changed his life. One of his favorites was On the Road by Jack Kerouac. His reading inspired him to keep a journal, which he wrote in every day. When it was time to consider college, William spent many hours with Ms. Lewis thinking about his future. After reading his journals, Ms. Lewis suggested that per- haps William would be happiest at a college where he could study creative writing. The rest is history! William was one of the top students in the Cre- ative Writing Program at the University of Wisconsin. During his junior year, one of his essays was accepted for publication in a national magazine, and soon after that, William received a call from an editor at Bound Brook Publishing who wanted to publish a collection of William’s short stories. As soon as the book was published, William sent a copy to Ms. Lewis thanking her for her support and advice. Now he was on his way back to visit Ms. Lewis and his other teachers, who were probably all asking the same question. Can this be the same William Reese? LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 22LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 22 3/11/09 10:12:40 AM3/11/09 10:12:40 AM 23 –PERIODS, QUESTION MARKS, AND EXCLAMATION POINTS– Rules for Using Periods ■ Use a period after an initial and after every part of an abbreviation, unless the abbreviation has become an acronym—an abbreviation that is pro- nounced as a word, such as AIDS—or a widely recognized name (TV, FBI, NATO, NASA). Titles—Mr., Ms., Dr., and so on—are also abbrevi- ations that use periods. If the abbreviation comes at the end of a sentence, only one period is needed. Examples: The tour leaves on Mon., Jan. 1, at 3 p.m. The book was written by C.S. Lewis. A.J. Mandelli researched brain function for the FBI. ■ Use a period as a decimal between numbers and between dollars and cents. Examples: A gallon equals 3.875 liters. The new textbook costs $54.75. Only 5.6% of our consumers spend over $100.00 per month on our products. ■ Use a period at the end of a sentence that makes a statement. Examples: Henry Kissinger served under two U.S. presidents. Wilson will lecture in the forum after school today. Many consider P.T. Barnum the best salesman ever to have walked the earth. ■ Use a period at the end of a sentence that makes a request, gives an instruction, or states a command. Examples: Empty the kitchen trash before you take the gar- bage out. Turn right at the fi rst stop light, and then go to the second house on the left. ■ Use a period at the end of a sentence that asks an indirect question. Examples: My neighbor asked if we had seen his cat. (The direct question was, “Have you seen my cat?”) Quentin wanted to know how we had arrived at that answer. (The direct question was “How did you arrive at that answer?”) Practice Choose the correctly written version from each of the following sets of sentences. You will fi nd the answers to each set of questions at the end of the lesson. 1. a. The train passed through Rockford, IL., on its way to St. Joseph, MO. b. The train passed through Rockford, IL, on its way to St Joseph, MO. c. The train passed through Rockford, IL, on its way to St. Joseph, MO. 2. a. Ms Cory Ames, Dr Matthew Olson, and H.J. Lane went to Chicago, IL b. Ms Cory Ames, Dr Matthew Olson, and HJ Lane went to Chicago, IL. c. Ms. Cory Ames, Dr. Matthew Olson, and H.J. Lane went to Chicago, IL. 3. a. At the age of 15, Justin measured 5 ft. 11 in. tall. Now, at 17, he has grown to 6 ft. 3 in. b. At the age of 15, Justin measured 5 ft. 11 in. tall Now, at 17, he has grown to 6 ft. 3 in c. At the age of 15, Justin measured 5 ft 11 in tall. Now, at 17, he has grown to 6 ft 3 in. 4. a. Bob asked if the price of the CD was $13.98? b. Bob asked if the price of the CD was $13.98. c. Bob asked if the price of the CD was $1398¢. 5. a. Tie your shoe. Before you trip and break a leg. b. Tie your shoe before you trip and break a leg. c. Tie your shoe before you trip and break a leg LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 23LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 23 3/11/09 10:12:41 AM3/11/09 10:12:41 AM 24 –PERIODS, QUESTION MARKS, AND EXCLAMATION POINTS– 6. a. Mr and Mrs Fletcher visited 10 cities in 20 days. b. Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher visited 10 cities in 20 days. c. Mr and Mrs. Fletcher visited 10 cities in 20 days. 7. a. Mayor and Mrs. Dorian will address the city council at 8:00 pm. b. Mayor and Mrs Dorian will address the city council at 8:00 p.m. c. Mayor and Mrs. Dorian will address the city council at 8:00 p.m. 8. a. Oh, all right. Tell me your riddle. b. Oh. all right. Tell me your riddle. c. Oh, all right Tell me your riddle. Rules for Using Question Marks and Exclamation Points ■ Use a question mark after a word or group of words that asks a question, even if it is not a com- plete sentence. Examples: What did you do last night? Will you put out the trash? Okay? May we go to the movies after we’ve fi nished our homework? Are we? ■ Use an exclamation point after a sentence that expresses strong feeling. Examples: Look out for that car! I just can’t stand the smell in here! A word of caution about using exclamation points to show strong feeling: Exclamation points are a little bit like salt on food. Most people like a little bit. Nobody likes too much. ■ Use an exclamation point after an interjection—a word or phrase expressing strong feeling—when it is written as a single sentence. Examples: Doggone it! Yikes! ■ Use an exclamation point after a sentence that begins with a question word but doesn’t ask a question. Examples: What a dunce I am! How marvelous of you to come! Practice Choose the correctly written version of each of the following sets of sentences. 9. a. Wow! That is an incredible view? b. Wow? That is an incredible view! c. Wow! That is an incredible view! 10. a. I can’t believe how naïve I was! b. I can’t believe how naïve I was. c. I can’t believe how naïve I was? 11. a. The auditor asked me why I didn’t save the receipts? b. The auditor asked me why I didn’t save the receipts. c. The auditor asked me why I didn’t save the receipts! 12. a. Can you tell me the seating capacity of this meeting room. b. Can you tell me the seating capacity of this meeting room? c. Can you tell me the seating capacity of this meeting room! LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 24LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 24 3/11/09 10:12:41 AM3/11/09 10:12:41 AM 25 –PERIODS, QUESTION MARKS, AND EXCLAMATION POINTS– 13. a. Unbelievable. I never thought she would go through with it! b. Unbelievable? I never thought she would go through with it. c. Unbelievable! I never thought she would go through with it! 14. a. Was Alexander the Great born in 350 b.c.e. b. Was Alexander the great born in 350 b.c.e.? c. Was Alexander the Great born in 350 b.c.e.? 15. a. Our group will meet at the library at 10:00 p.m. to research T.S. Eliot. b. Our group will meet at the library at 10:00 pm to research T.S. Eliot. c. Our group will meet at the library at 10:00 p.m. to research TS. Eliot. 16. a. Hannah asked how much the prom bid was. Kayla told her $50.00. b. Hannah asked how much the prom bid was? Kayla told her $50.00? c. Hannah asked how much the prom bid was? Kayla told her $50.00. 17. a. Wow. What a close call that was? b. Wow! What a close call that was. c. Wow! What a close call that was! 18. a. Those carpenters. Do you know how much they charged? b. Those carpenters? Do you know how much they charged? c. Those carpenters! Do you know how much they charged? Answers 1. a. 2. c. 3. a. 4. b. 5. b. 6. b. 7. c. 8. a. 9. c. 10. a. 11. b. 12. b. 13. c. 14. c. 15. a. 16. a. 17. c. 18. c. Take a few minutes to practice what you have learned today. If you are reading a book right now, look through a few of the pages until you fi nd at least three examples of each type of end mark you learned about today. Are the end marks used according to the rules you used today? If you’re not currently reading a book, just grab one from the shelf at home or at work. TIP LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 25LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 25 3/11/09 10:12:41 AM3/11/09 10:12:41 AM [...]... you’ll find plenty of those in a newspaper You can also find plenty of sentence faults, especially fragments, in advertisements Practice writing complete sentences in any written work you are assigned 35 LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 35 3/11/09 10:12:44 AM LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 36 3/11/09 10:12:44 AM L E S S O N 4 COMMAS AND SENTENCE PARTS The writer who neglects punctuation, or mispunctuates,... walked all over downtown and applied for part-time jobs at theaters Finally, look at the remaining sentence, 6 In this sentence, extra words are needed to add the fragment to the sentence 6 We couldn’t make the deadline because of the icy roads and hazardous weather 31 LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 31 3/11/09 10:12:43 AM –AVOIDING FAULTY SENTENCES– Run - On Sentences An independent clause is a group... better interest rates 33 LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 33 3/11/09 10:12:43 AM –AVOIDING FAULTY SENTENCES– Practice Here is an opportunity to apply what you have learned about complete sentences, fragments, run-ons, and comma splices In each of the following numbered items, decide whether the group of words is a correctly written sentence or sentences (S), a fragment (F), a run-on sentence (ROS), or a... operators in this department (state of being verb) 3 It expresses a complete thought In other words, the group of words has a completed meaning Sometimes, a group of words has both a subject and a verb but still does not express a complete thought Look at the following examples The subjects and verbs are highlighted to make them easier to identify 28 LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 28 3/11/09 10:12:42 AM –AVOIDING... Underline the groups of words that form complete sentences See if you can distinguish them from the fragments, run-ons, and comma splices included in the paragraph Then check your work against the Solution paragraph, also on the next page, where the complete sentences are underlined 27 LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 27 3/11/09 10:12:42 AM –AVOIDING FAULTY SENTENCES– Problem Solution Just the other day,...LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 26 3/11/09 10:12:42 AM L E S S O N 3 AVOIDING FAULTY SENTENCES A sentence is made up of words; a statement is made in words Statements are made, words or sentences are used —John Langshaw Austin, British philosopher (1911–1960) LESSON SU MMA RY How do we distinguish between complete sentences and sentence fragments, run-ons, and comma splices?... system and deemed it in proper working order 34 LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 34 3/11/09 10:12:44 AM –AVOIDING FAULTY SENTENCES– Answers 1 b 2 a 3 b 4 b 5 a 6 b 7 b 8 b 9 b 10 a 11 F 12 F 13 CS 14 F 15 F 16 F 17 CS 18 ROS 19 S 20 F TIP Go back to the paragraph at the beginning of the lesson Revise it to eliminate the sentence fragments, comma splices, and run-on sentences As you read the morning paper or... our company’s We read the morning paper new owner 9 We traveled through the desert all night 10 We walked all over downtown Without seeing a single car or building And applied for part-time jobs at theaters 30 LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 30 3/11/09 10:12:43 AM –AVOIDING FAULTY SENTENCES– The complete sentences are 1 B, 2 A, 3 A, 4 B, 5 B, 6 B, 7 B, 8 B, 9 A, and 10 A Most of the fragments are phrases... is a loyal friend she helps whenever she is needed 3 a Paula bought a new car in February she picked it up only last week b Paula bought a new car in February She picked it up only last week 32 LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 32 3/11/09 10:12:43 AM –AVOIDING FAULTY SENTENCES– 4 a Lisa lost five pounds After only one week on the new diet b Lisa lost five pounds after only one week on the new diet 5 a You... arrive Heather’s family rushed to the gate 3 Broken after years of use The receptionist finally got a new phone 4 We saw Andrea sitting all by herself ? Imagining what Florida was like in March 29 LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 29 3/11/09 10:12:42 AM –AVOIDING FAULTY SENTENCES– The complete sentences are 1 A, 2 B, 3 B, and 4 A The fragments are simply phrases They do not contain a subject or a verb If . home or at work. TIP LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 25LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 25 3/11/09 10:12:41 AM3/11/09 10:12:41 AM LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 26LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 26. used in the writing. How many of the rules you learned today can you fi nd represented in a single obituary notice? TIP –CAPITALIZATION– LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 20LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd. building.  10. We walked all over downtown. And applied for part - time jobs at theaters.  LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 30LE_WritingSkills4ed_[fin].indd 30 3/11/09 10:12:43 AM3/11/09 10:12:43 AM 31 –AVOIDING